May 24

Psalm 145, 17-21

Something to read

The LORD is righteous in all his ways and faithful in all he does. The LORD is near to all who call on him, to all who call on him in truth. He fulfills the desires of those who fear him; he hears their cry and saves them. The LORD watches over all who love him, but all the wicked he will destroy. My mouth will speak in praise of the LORD. Let every creature praise his holy name for ever and ever.

Something to think about

Whilst we proclaim the righteouness and faithfulness of God and believe in God’s closeness to all who suffer oppression and affliction, we also proclaim God as the ultimate judge. Part of our actions for just peace have to be a repentent understanding that our human understandings of justice and wicked actions are not part of our calling.

Followers of Christ have, wittingly and unwittingly, by design and through accident, caused suffering and perpetrated violence in the world and through history.

At the International Ecumenical Peace Convocation, an Ecumenical Call for Peace was made.

This was a historic moment on the journey towards a just peace and towards the abandonment of outdated justifications for violence and oppression.

This call was to the churches and people of Good Will to turn from their ways of violence and embrace non-violent ways of love, forgiveness, mercy and justice.

It was a call to live intentionally, in solidarity – for we are stronger in this resolve together – committed to transforming conflict.

This requires us to unlearn the habits that romanticise violence or money or power and see these as the inevitable sources of our redemption. Instead we must learn again, from the pattern of Jesus and a fresh awakening to the scriptures, of the love that surpasses all understanding; of the love that means the first words after death, spoken by Jesus, are ‘Do not be afraid’.

So that, as we live out this way of just peace, the name of God, so often used to justify acts of terror, oppression and violence, will become what it truly is - the holy name of God, the source of sustenance, of sanctuary, of confidence and peace of which the angels sang: Glory to God and Peace on Earth. Let every creature praise God’s holy name for ever and ever.

Something to do

Something to pray

How wonderful to live in a world that studies war no more
How wonderful to tell of the faith of the peacemakers
How wonderful to speak of the might of the candle lit vigil
How wonderful the splendour of women standing together in solidarity
How wonderful to watch young and old living without fear
How wonderful when justice is done.
How wonderful to plant a tree.
How wonderful the peace prayers of your faithful people.